Call for a quick investigation on the manipulated text of EC on independence of Catalonia

On September 21, 2015, the European Commission President, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, gave a written answer to a question made by the Spanish MEP Mr. Santiago Fisas about whether or not the European Commission would recognize a potential call for a unilateral declaration of independence from Catalonia, or if it would respect the Spanish Constitution, which is against such a declaration. In his answer, Mr. Juncker stated that "It is not for the Commission to express a position on questions of internal organization related to the constitutional arrangements of a particular Member State". Nevertheless, the Spanish version of the answer adds an extra paragraph saying that a regional parliament cannot decide on the fate of its territory, referring to a Treaty of the European Union.

On September 24, the Commission spokesperson, Miss Mina Andreeva, declared that "The answer to the question that was given in English is the authentic version because it is the English version to which the President agreed and which bears his signature", and she added that the addition of this paragraphs was a "mistake" or "human error".

We consider this explanation completely unsatisfactory, as we can't take as a mistake or human error the addition of a 9-lines paragraph, but as a manipulation of the original answer of the EC President.

Therefore, and taking into account that these statements were made in the context of the imminent elections to the Catalan Parliament, on September 27, and their potential influence on the vote of the electorate, we urge the EC to undertake a quick and rigorous investigation about this question and to publicly provide a credible explanation to it and establish immediately the relevant responsibilities.

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European Commission: Call for a quick investigation on the manipulated text of EC on independence of Catalonia